Eight people died on spot after a trailer rammed into a matatu in the early morning of Sunday, December 31, 2023 at Eveready roundabout along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway.
According to the police report, the trailer rammed into a 14-seater matatu that had been stopped by traffic police officers at Eveready roundabout in Nakuru.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the trailer had allegedly lost control, after brakes failed, leading to the tragic accident.
During the incident, angry residents confronted police officers who had stopped the matatu, blaming them for causing the accident.
An eyewitness who sought anonymity disclosed that the traffic police officers had stopped the matatu to collect a bribe from the driver.
“Corrupt traffic officers were demanding Ksh50 from the matatu driver, leading to deaths of innocent Kenyans,” said the witness.
While initial reports showed that 8 people perished during the accident, the Kenya National Police Service has reported that only five people lost their lives.
“Today 31/12/2023 at around 0720hrs, five passengers lost their lives on the spot through a tragic fatal road traffic accident that occurred at Eveready Roundabout along Eldoret -Nakuru Highway,” read part of the police report.
Police officers with help of Red Cross officials and area residents helped in taking survivors of the accident to the Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital for medical attention.
At the same time, the police helped in managing traffic along the busy highway, at a time when crowds of people blocked the flow of vehicles.
A similar accident occurred on December 29, 2023 involving a 14-seater matatu and a personal car along the Nyeri-Nyahururu highway. Seven people died during the accident.
Confirming the incident, Nyeri County Police Commander Benjamin Rotich advised motorists to drive carefully during this festive season.
